Eating Disorders
"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
Holistic Approach to Eating Disorders
Spiritual Self-Care
Prayer, scripture, worship music, and reading God's word can help you develop a different perspective on suffering, giving you purpose for your pain.
Psychological Self-Care
Counseling can help you process the complexities of an eating disorder, examine contributing factors, and provide healthier coping skills to work toward healing.
Social Self-Care
Support groups or group therapy can connect you with others experiencing similar struggles and can be a source of comfort, a sense of belonging, and feeling understood.
Physical Self-Care
An eating disorder often denies the body's physical needs, resulting in fatigue, listlessness, and low motivation. If you encounter these symptoms, seeing outside help from your primary care doctor and a nutritionist may be the first step in your body's recovery.
"Carry one another's burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ."
Eating disorders are multifaceted and extend far beyond food and often act as a way
to cope with
complicated feelings and situations. Eating disorders often result in malnourishment,
which can negatively affect your physical health, mental health, work, and social
life. They can also be associated with depression, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and
obsessive behavior.
Common Symptoms
Some signs of eating disorders are:
- Preoccupation with body image, weight, and shape
- Secret binge eating
- Self-induced vomiting, excessive use of exercise, laxatives, diuretics, and fasting
to compensate for
binge eating - Significantly low weight due to a restriction of calories
- An unhealthy view of dieting and the nutritional content of food
- Demonstrates reckless eating during binge episodes
If an eating disorder affects your life, and you would like to talk to someone, contact the CBU Counseling Center. We are honored to come alongside you and help you process your struggles with a Christ-centered therapy approach.